Tigers insider says the quiet part out loud about Tarik Skubal's situation in Detroit

Detroit Tigers fans have been living in this weird in-between space with Tarik Skubal for over a year now. Not quite panic. Not quite peace. Just that anxious feeling where you know what’s coming, but you’re not ready to say it out loud.

Then, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press went on the "Days of Roar" podcast and just … said it. He told the truth — the one Tigers fans have felt in their gut for months: Tarik Skubal is not part of this franchise’s long-term future. And Detroit isn’t pretending otherwise anymore.

Petzold’s blunt admission that the Tigers are always listening on Skubal trade offers is more important than it sounds. That’s not an insult to Skubal. That’s a window into how the organization truly views him. When you believe in a player long-term, you don’t “listen.” You extend.

When you listen, it means there is no extension coming, the clock is already ticking and the relationship is business-only now. And Petzold made it crystal clear that Skubal isn’t signing long-term in Detroit. Not now. Not later. Not unless owner Christopher Ilitch suddenly decides to write a $350 million check.

Which … come on.

Writing is on the wall for Tarik Skubal in Detroit as Tigers reportedly listen to trade offers

If, as Petzold suggests, the Tigers go with the “we’ll just give him the qualifying offer and take the draft pick” strategy, that’s not confidence. That’s surrender. That’s the Tigers openly acknowledging they’re preparing to lose their best pitcher for one draft pick and vibes.

This is the part that stings most –– Skubal is supposed to be the guy you finally build around. The ace who ends the “Detroit develops stars for other teams” trend. The pitcher whose jersey you buy without checking his contract status. And yet here we are — already being told to get used to the idea that his future doesn’t include Comerica Park.

Sure, Petzold says Skubal will only be traded if the Tigers get something overwhelming in return. But that’s a subtle warning, too. It means they're not framing him as untouchable; they're framing him as movable at the right price. And once a franchise reaches that mindset, the end is always closer than you think.

Petzold's comments didn't break news; they broke illusions. He said what the organization won't –– that there's no grand extension coming, there's no secret negotiation underway, and there's no happy ending lined up in a press release draft. There is just a great pitcher, a cautious owner, and a fan base bracing for the inevitable.